New Zealand Birds

11001-39911 Black swan (Cygnus atratus) male on nest. A widespread and abundant Australian species found throughout NZ and the Chatham Islands. But fossil bones reveal NZ and the Chathams once had their own endemic black swan, 'pouwa' (Cygnus sumnerensis) separated by a lineage of one to two million years. The now extinct NZ swan is common in archaeological deposits. It was 20-30% heavier than the modern black swan, with shorter wings and longer stronger legs. *